# Poor GFR and Creatine readings.  Avoid intense exercise

**URL:** <https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/poor-gfr-and-creatine-readings-avoid-intense-exercise/11061>\
**Category:** Medical Q&A \[Moderated\]\
**Created:** [July 12, 2021, 2:50pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/poor-gfr-and-creatine-readings-avoid-intense-exercise/11061 "2021-07-12T14:50:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Dale](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/dale/32/932_2.png) [@Dale](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Dale)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2021, 2:50pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/poor-gfr-and-creatine-readings-avoid-intense-exercise/11061/1 "2021-07-12T14:50:38Z")

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Hello,

Why would a Dr recommend cutting back on intense exercise due to poor GRF?

**Additional info:**  
A month ago I did some bloodwork (due to cramping more than usual) and two areas were flagged  
Creatine was 1.51 ml/dl  
GFR was 52

For creative I have measured 1.3 ml/dl for a long time(since 2013)

I then had a urine test 10 days ago and I think it was good? (I stopped training for 48 hours and dropped the protein shake for 48 ours before the test)  
Albumin 1.2 mg/dl  
Creatine 1.27 mg/dl  
Albumin/creatine \< 9 mcg/mg

My doctors office asked if I exercised hard and took protein. I told them I lifted for strength 3/t/week and aim for 130-170 grams of protein a day with up to 50 grams being from a whey shake. (I basically follow the type of training here and have been strength training consistently since the 80’s, so its not new to me at all)

I am trying to reach my Dr for further comment on the request to cut back on intense exercise.

They want me to see a kidney specialist… Do you know of any in MA that understand strength training?

Other key stats  
Age 53  
5’ 10" and 185lbs  
roughly 15-20% BF, 34" waist  
excellent blood pressure  
66 resting heart rate  
Active with strength and exercise since I was 16  
Smart, good looking and modest to a fault

Thanks,  
Dale

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**Author:** ![Austin\_Baraki](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/austin_baraki/32/1095_2.png) [@Austin\_Baraki](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Austin_Baraki)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2021, 4:53pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/poor-gfr-and-creatine-readings-avoid-intense-exercise/11061/2 "2021-07-12T16:53:01Z")

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This is discussed here: [Abnormal Labs in Exercise Part I: Kidney Function | Barbell Medicine](https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog/abnormal-labs-in-exercise-part-i-kidney-function/)

There is no reason to reduce exercise intensity in this context.

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**Author:** ![Dale](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/dale/32/932_2.png) [@Dale](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Dale)\
**Post date:** [July 17, 2021, 1:26pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/poor-gfr-and-creatine-readings-avoid-intense-exercise/11061/3 "2021-07-17T13:26:57Z")

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Yes, the article is good and I had read it. The key thing that confused me was my Drs recommendation to stop the intense exercise. I finally spoke to the Dr via phone and asked why… and was told that intense exercise is correlated with poor GFR… s I asked if Dr would reach out to a sports specialist and get their view. They agreed… so I will see what comes back from that. In the meantime I will just keep training. 😉

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**Author:** ![Austin\_Baraki](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/austin_baraki/32/1095_2.png) [@Austin\_Baraki](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Austin_Baraki)\
**Post date:** [July 17, 2021, 3:08pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/poor-gfr-and-creatine-readings-avoid-intense-exercise/11061/4 "2021-07-17T15:08:37Z")

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> [@Dale](#):
>
> I finally spoke to the Dr via phone and asked why… and was told that intense exercise is correlated with poor GFR.

There is no established causal relationship between intense exercise and chronic kidney disease.